House Bill No. 3218 proposes amendments to the Election Code to facilitate voting for individuals in custody at county jails, specifically in counties with populations of 3.3 million or more. The bill introduces Section 43.008, which designates county jails as polling places for elections, allowing eligible residents in custody who have not been finally convicted of their offenses to vote. Additionally, the bill mandates that these jails provide voter registration applications to eligible individuals upon request and ensures that they can vote in the same elections as their residential counterparts.

Furthermore, the bill adds Section 63.0091, which outlines the voting and registration procedures for individuals at these county jail polling places. It allows individuals who would otherwise be eligible to vote but are not registered to do so if they meet specific criteria, including being in custody and submitting a compliant voter registration application. The bill also stipulates that these individuals must present proof of identification or establish their identity through jail records. The Secretary of State is tasked with developing the necessary procedures to implement these changes effectively. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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